i have the opportunity to get into a 2000 r.s.e. sp500 (non h.o.) pretty reasonably. i am not sure of the performance differences between this and my 2000 xpedition, as i have never ridden the two side by side.

is the sp a lot faster? accelerate better? tow better? i can't help but think the sportsman would be smoother, but is it worth the extra $ ? will it badly outrun/climb/tow a stock xp?

to the many of you who own/ride with both...any help with this decision would be greatly appreciated.

 

it would ride better and sure it would have some more power, but i bet not a ton more that 425 is a nice motor. the biggest thing would be the ride, nothing rides like the SP. and of course the auto tranny. I doubt it would dramatically beat the 425.

 

I feel for ya Man. It all depends on what your looking for. I have an Xpedition, my riding partner has a 99 rse. As far as straight line speed, his rse (let me emphasize, no two sportsmans are the same) is no faster. As far as trail riding though, I would say the sportsman has a definate advantage, smoother ride, always in the right gear. Climbing, I'd say the same. Mudding, you can't beat ground clearance, and some say wheel speed. The IRS has disadvantages also. It leans in off camber turns. It isn't as good as a straight axle for log and rock hopping. It doesn't power out of corners like a swingarm. Actually, IMHO thats the biggest thing, the fun factor. Gear driven quads are more fun! With that said, I'll tell you I am buying a new HO. I plan on keeping the xpedition though. I have to have something to ride when my wife goes. LOL
Get them both and have fun
Brian

 

Had a Sp and now a H.O. My son has an EXP. His EXP is dead even with my H.O. in a drag race,
but he weighs 80 lbs. We've both got cams and ported out mufflers, K&N's. His EXP has a TM Mikuni, I put one on my H.O. this afternoon, will test tomorrow, one hose short of finishing.
I disagree with Dusty about the disadvantages of the I.R.S. There aren't any disadvantages. What he said applies to the Arctic Cat 500 rear suspension, not the Polaris.
The sway bar works just fine. The SP's are heavier, smoother, just a tad faster, usually, I think they both handle great, the SP jumps better 'cause the motor is farther back. It is the same cylinder head, but the crankcases are totally different due to the trannys. They make a nice pair. Top speed on the SP is one major difference. Our EXP has a rev limiter we can't get around, so top speed is 52, H.O. goes about 64mph. Silly later,,Fourlix

 

thx very much for your replies. i am leaning towards the idea of the sportsman...i think for the long run it might b the one to go with.

i would like to own ten, but the little wife simply has other plans for our $$ (like a house) so i should be happy with what i get.

t.y. any more replies are welcome

 

I'll put in my 2 cents worth. My buddy has a SP, they do ride nice, no questions about it. One advantage of the exp over the sp is you cant beat
gears for engine braking. I hardly use my brakes at all, just let off the gas and your stopping. People dont believe me but my exp goes through more mud than his sp. He is so heavy he goes strait down in our mud hole. Top speed is not important to me 50-54mph.

 

I have rode my xped. with sp 500's several times. The sp500 always went through more mud. However, I
am puting on 27 inch mud bugs and we'll see then.

I love the engine breaking to. I am not scared to go down a steep hill in 1st. or 2nd. gear. the sp500 is a smoother ride due to independent suspension. the xped. is a fun atv to own however.

rangerchet xped. 425 cc 5-speed.

 

well, i tested it out! the sportsman definitely has a cushy ride, and i could feel the power difference the 500 combined with the auto tranny makes. i can understand the clearance issues, and now i see why everyone is so in love with the irs.
it seems to lean really easily, has quite a bit of rear suspension travel, and feels quite stable.
but...what happens when you run out of suspension, say in a slide? when the suspension travel is maxed out, it seems that all is left is for the big bohemoth to come over on you. perhaps this is due to my inexperience, but i like being able to slide with ease, and the sp. seemed really grabby in a sideways slide. in fact, it was a little spooky.
maybe i just need to grow up a little more. ;-] but for now my xpedition still seems really nice. i have ridden all day in the hills jumping rocks and sagebrush, the rear suspension on my xp hasn't hurt my back a bit.
to be honest i would really consider the straight axle in the magnum when they come out with a little more horsepower and i am looking for an upgrade. i would have to test all these options further.

 

oops

 

I think that the only reason not many people have been buying xpeditions is they perfer the automatic. thats all. So that does not mean there is anything wrong with an xpedition. For a 425 is does have speed. It may be the only small atv that
can still play with the big boys. It does have good mud ability as it has polaris's famous 4 wheel drive. The shifting is smooth. Its a very very tough atv. Probably its best feature. I am not sorry I bought one. Its faster then the older
sp500's but only a little slower then the newer sp500's. thats not too bad. Me personally, I just
love to drive it. that is all!!!!!! rangerchet